Playhouse Village in Pasadena in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Payton Hall

— 1953 —

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 13, 2026

1. Payton Hall Marker

Inscription.
Payton Hall
Built: 1953
Architects: Orr, Strange, Inslee, and Rose Connor
Builder: Myers Brothers

The first building constructed for the seminary at the North Oakland campus was Payton Hall. It bears the name of Payton, in honor of Grace Payton Fuller's family, most especially her father, John, who in 1849 as a young boy traveled west with his family from Iowa to Oregon. In the late 1880s John and Eliza Payton, along with their daughter Grace, settled in Redlands, California, where Payton practiced medicine and became a leading member of society.

Payton Hall initially served as the Administration Building. Its entrance is marked by Gothic decoration. The balustrade steps, flanked by two wrought-iron lamps, lead to three arched plateglass doors, originally framed by diamond-paned side windows. The more ornate McAlister Library (to the south), finished in 1963 and connected to Payton Hall in 1978, mirrors many of the same Gothic themes.

McAlister Library is dedicated to the memory of William B. McAlister and his daughter, Amelie McAlister Upshur.

Erected by Fuller Theological

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Seminary.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 34° 8.89′ N, 118° 8.41′ W. Marker is in Pasadena, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Playhouse Village. It can be reached from North Oakland Avenue just south of Ford Place, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 135 N Oakland Ave, Pasadena CA 91101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Judson Carpenter House (within shouting distance of this marker); John Grosse House (within shouting distance of this

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 13, 2026

2. Payton Hall Marker

marker); W.A. McHenry House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dunn House (within shouting distance of this marker); Behlow House (within shouting distance of this marker); Blinn House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pacific Asia Museum (about 600 feet away); Pasadena City Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pasadena.

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 13, 2026

3. Payton Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 3, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.